DES MOINES, Iowa — It’s cool when a plan comes together. For Stephen Ames, it’s really cool.
The professional golfer from Canada figured shooting 12-under par would at least place him in championship conversation at the 20th Principal Charity Classic. By golly, he was right.
Ames was a bunch more than just being in the conversation. He stormed back from seven shots down entering Sunday’s final day to win his second seniors’ event, this one by a stroke over Mike Weir.
“At the beginning of the week, I actually had a number in my mind that I was trying to achieve, and that was 12-under,” Ames told reporters while holding the trophy on the 18th green. “I figured if I was able to shoot four under each day, I figured 12 under would be a good enough number.”
Ames’ final-round 5-under 67 was enough to move up eight spots to the championship for the first time since 2017. Fellow Canadian Weir’s rise from fifth after the second round to runner-up was the result of a 3-under 69 on the par-72, 6,846-yard layout at Wakonda Club.
As for second-round leader Tim Herron — well, he faltered, and that’s putting it gently. After leading by four strokes going into the final 18 holes, Herron closed with a 4-over 76 and fell into a tie for third.
“I was in grind mode,” Herron said. “Even though riding a cart, I got a little tired mentally. It was a little tough with the putter. (Saturday) I just had the groove. It’s weird from one day to the next day.”
He played Sunday’s final five holes 3-over par, while Ames was even over the same holes.
“I wasn’t able to get any momentum going,” Herron said.
Stephen Ames putts on the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Tour Champions Principal Charity Classic on Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press
This tournament represented one of Des Moines’ largest outdoor gatherings since at least sometime in 2019. Let’s just say it’s been a long time. At least two years, I’m guessing.
“Life is getting back to normal,” said Dan Houston, chairman, president, and CEO of Principal Financial Group. “We’re shaking hands; we’re taking that for granted. We’re having conversations 18 inches from each other. This is like this is a big step back to normalcy for me.”
Houston always has a smile while greeting people at the tournament. When I talked to him Friday morning on day one, that smile was wider than normal as he tooled around the hilly Wakonda layout in a golf cart.
“It was terrible, not having this last year,” he said. “People were looking for things to do. We were grinding the economy down by not having the event. When you have the event, it stimulates hospitality, it stimulates recreation, travel, and entertainment.
“We didn’t want to see that happen this year, so believe me, we were going to push this through.”
I asked him what Iowa State can expect at the Sept. 11 Cy-Hawk football experience in — and around — Jack Trice Stadium. No further explanation was needed. He knew where this was heading.
“It’s going to be amazing,” he said. “We’re going to get 10,000 people each day at the golf tournament. Take that times six or so, and that’s what you’re going to have in the stadium. Take that (10K) by seven or eight, and that’s about what you’re going to get in the parking lots for tailgating.”
The Principal Charity Classic capped attendance at 10,000 each of the three days. The most recent co-ed state track meet at Drake Stadium had daily crowds of around 10,000, 15,000 and 10,000, respectively.
Downtown, Principal Park is back to crowd-normal. Our state’s plethora of auto racing tracks is at normal capacity. Ditto the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
Yes, this summer is our coming-out party. Our return to as close to normal as we’ve seen in a long, long while.
“This is another example that people have had enough,” Greg Edwards, president and CEO of Catch Des Moines, said while scanning the crowd Sunday afternoon. “There’s been a lot of pent-up demand. More and more, people are wanting to get out and do things.”
I caught up with Edwards near the Wakonda clubhouse. Person after person walked up to him during our conversation. Great event, they’d say. Great to be outdoors again.
“I think we’re going to have another Roaring ’20s,” Edwards said, referring to what generally is described as the time between America’s past and future. “I think people are so anxious to get out and travel. And just do stuff.”
Like the 30,000 or so that attended this wonderful golf tournament. Like actually playing in front of a crowd.
And for Stephen Ames …
Like winning, after starting the final day tied for ninth.
“2020 was a no-show for the year, with COVID and everything going on,” he said. “Look around at the crowd. It’s great to have spectators again.”